Gold vermeil (pronounced “ver-may”) is a type of high-quality gold finish used in jewellery. It involves coating sterling silver with a thick layer of gold. To qualify as vermeil, the gold must be at least 10 karats and have a minimum thickness of 2.5 microns.
Base Metal
The base metal for gold vermeil is always sterling silver, which is a precious metal itself.
Gold Thickness
The gold layer in vermeil jewellery is significantly thicker than in regular gold plated items, making it more durable and longer-lasting.
Purity
Gold used in vermeil must be at least 10 karats, ensuring a certain standard of quality.
Hypoallergenic
Since the base is sterling silver, gold vermeil is less likely to cause allergic reactions compared to other gold-plated jewellery that uses base metals like nickel or brass.
Yes, gold vermeil is real gold. At Reve Jewel we use the highest percentage of gold alloy that can be used to make jewellery, 18 carats. We love using gold vermeil in our pieces and so do you!
Cleaning gold jewellery is easy to do at home. We recommend using a gentle polishing cloth on your gold vermeil pieces, ensuring it is clean and dry. Simply rub your piece in one direction, wiping away any dirt. If the plating had faded then we recommend you to use our professional cleaning service to make it look as good as new.
Due to its thicker gold layer, gold vermeil is a durable option for jewellery pieces. Taking proper care of your favourite pieces, like necklaces and earrings, will ensure your pieces stand the test of time. There are numerous ways to care for your jewellery, from keeping it clean, to keeping it away from liquids, and even storing it in its own pouch rather than thrown in with other pieces.
Gold plated jewellery involves applying a thin layer of gold over a base metal, which can be anything from brass to stainless steel. The gold layer is usually very thin, often less than 0.5 microns, which makes it less durable than gold vermeil.
Base Metal
The base metal can be any non-precious metal, commonly brass, copper, or stainless steel.
Gold Thickness
The gold layer is much thinner, which means it wears off more quickly with regular use.
Purity
There is no specific requirement for the purity of gold used in gold plating, and it can vary widely.
Affordability
Gold plated jewelry is generally more affordable than gold vermeil, especially when a cheaper base metal is used. However, at Reve Jewel, all gold plated jewelry features a high-quality sterling silver base, making it a more affordable yet high-quality and safe choice.
Gold plated jewellery is made of both real gold twinned with a different base metal. Whilst these pieces are not solid gold, the plating itself consists of real gold. However, for a piece to be labelled ‘gold plated’ the layer of gold must be equal to or greater than 0.5 microns.
You may be concerned about tarnishing your gold plated jewellery further by cleaning it. Even so, you should be cleaning your jewellery from time to time to keep it looking its best. For those with gold plated pieces you need to ensure you’re gentle, avoid rubbing, and simply clean in warm soapy water.
There is no difference in appearance between gold vermeil and gold plated jewellery. The primary difference lies in durability, with gold vermeil being more durable due to its thicker gold layer.
